Chapter 7: The Geography of Chapter 7: The Geography of Languages and ReligionsLanguages and Religions

Introduction to Geography

Language & ReligionLanguage & Religion

►2 most important forces that 2 most important forces that bond & define human culturesbond & define human cultures

Defining LanguageDefining Language► Pronunciation & combination of words used to Pronunciation & combination of words used to

communicate within a group of peoplecommunicate within a group of people Unique way of dealing with facts, ideas, conceptsUnique way of dealing with facts, ideas, concepts Variations in language Variations in language differences in thinking about differences in thinking about

►Space & timeSpace & time►Things & processesThings & processes

► Develop among people who Develop among people who interact regularly interact regularly

► Reflect relative isolation inReflect relative isolation in past past

► Spread bySpread by Relocation diffusionRelocation diffusion Contagious diffusionContagious diffusion

Language RegionsLanguage Regions► LanguageLanguage

Major patterns of difference in Major patterns of difference in communicationcommunication

► DialectsDialects Minor variations within languageMinor variations within language

► Standard languageStandard language Follow formal rules of diction & Follow formal rules of diction &

grammargrammar► Official languageOfficial language

Country’s records are kept & Country’s records are kept & business is conducted in this business is conducted in this languagelanguage

► Lingua francaLingua franca 22ndnd language for international language for international

discoursediscourse

Linguistic GeographyLinguistic Geography► Study of different dialects across spaceStudy of different dialects across space

Differ in: pronunciation, grammar, vocabularyDiffer in: pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary Vary more in speech than writingVary more in speech than writing

► Speech communitySpeech community Local group of people who Local group of people who

speak togetherspeak together► IsoglossesIsoglosses

Lines marking places of same Lines marking places of same language featureslanguage features►Often follow physical featuresOften follow physical features

► Geographical dialect Geographical dialect continuumcontinuum Chain of languages across area Chain of languages across area

with divergence increasing with with divergence increasing with distancedistance

World’s Major LanguagesWorld’s Major Languages► 6,000-7,000 distinct languages6,000-7,000 distinct languages

77 have 10 million speakers as 77 have 10 million speakers as 11stst language language

► 50% of world population speak 50% of world population speak 1 of 12 major languages 1 of 12 major languages

► Most spoken:Most spoken: Chinese (1.2 billion)Chinese (1.2 billion)

► EnglishEnglish 328 million speakers328 million speakers Official language of 50 Official language of 50

countriescountries

Official LanguagesOfficial Languages

Language DevelopmentLanguage Development► Language among isolated Language among isolated

peoplepeople Complete expression of Complete expression of

experienceexperience Drift: divergence if group Drift: divergence if group

spreads outspreads out Retain genetic relationshipRetain genetic relationship

► Relations among languagesRelations among languages Protolanguage (root language): ancestor to all related languagesProtolanguage (root language): ancestor to all related languages Language family: languages Language family: languages

related by descent from common protolanguagerelated by descent from common protolanguage► Cognates: words that are similar because share common Cognates: words that are similar because share common

rootroot► Etymology: study of word origins & historyEtymology: study of word origins & history

Indo-European Language Indo-European Language Family Family

► Proto-Indo-EuropeanProto-Indo-European Identified by Sir William Jones (1786)Identified by Sir William Jones (1786)

►Common ancestor of many modern languagesCommon ancestor of many modern languages

► Grimm’s LawGrimm’s Law Set forth by Jacob Grimm (1785-1863)Set forth by Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) Rules to describe sound shifts as languages divergedRules to describe sound shifts as languages diverged

► OriginOrigin Vocab describing Vocab describing

environmental environmental conditionsconditions

Modern Turkey ~ Modern Turkey ~ 8,000 years ago8,000 years ago

World’s Language FamiliesWorld’s Language Families

Geography of WritingGeography of Writing►OrthographyOrthography

System of writingSystem of writing►SumeriansSumerians►OlmecOlmec

► AlphabetsAlphabets RomanRoman CyrillicCyrillic ArabicArabic KoreanKorean

► Non-alphabeticNon-alphabetic ChineseChinese JapaneseJapanese

Examples of Orthography

Distribution of Alphabetic Scripts in Distribution of Alphabetic Scripts in EurasiaEurasia

ToponymyToponymy► Study of place namesStudy of place names►Origin of toponyms:Origin of toponyms:

Natural featuresNatural features Origins/values of Origins/values of

inhabitantsinhabitants Beliefs, religionsBeliefs, religions OccupationsOccupations Current or past heroesCurrent or past heroes

Minnesota Minnesota Place NamesPlace Names

National LanguagesNational Languages

► Complicated relationship Complicated relationship between languages & between languages & nationalismnationalism Single-country languageSingle-country language Languages spoken in Languages spoken in

multiple countriesmultiple countries Major definer of nationalityMajor definer of nationality

►Nation buildingNation building Mother tongues or Mother tongues or

Philological nationalismPhilological nationalism Role of educationRole of education Political pressurePolitical pressure

Language in Post-Colonial Language in Post-Colonial SocietiesSocieties

► Language of colonial Language of colonial ruler as language ofruler as language of GovernmentGovernment LawLaw Economic developmentEconomic development EducationEducation

► Former colonial Former colonial languagelanguage Useful for businessUseful for business Avoids arguments Avoids arguments

about which language about which language to useto use

Former colony as more Former colony as more powerful determinant powerful determinant of languageof language

Polyglot statesPolyglot states►Having multiple official languagesHaving multiple official languages

Each language official in its own regionEach language official in its own region One language selected for government, One language selected for government,

communication among regionscommunication among regions Linguistic division by social classLinguistic division by social class

U.S. LanguagesU.S. Languages► English always lingua English always lingua

francafranca►Distinct “American Distinct “American

English”English”► 3 major dialects in 13 3 major dialects in 13

coloniescolonies►Official language?Official language?

World’s Major ReligionsWorld’s Major Religions► Systems of beliefs regarding conduct in Systems of beliefs regarding conduct in

accordance with sacred writings or accordance with sacred writings or authoritative teacherauthoritative teacher Orthopraxy: Orthopraxy: Behavior-orientedBehavior-oriented Orthodoxy: Orthodoxy: Theological/philosophicalTheological/philosophical

World’s Major ReligionsWorld’s Major Religions► FundamentalismFundamentalism

Strict adherence to traditional beliefsStrict adherence to traditional beliefs► SecularismSecularism

Excludes religions considerations as scientifically Excludes religions considerations as scientifically unproveableunproveable

► Ethnic vs. UniversalizingEthnic vs. Universalizing

World’s Major ReligionsWorld’s Major Religions

JudaismJudaism► 11stst monotheistic religion monotheistic religion► 15 million adherents15 million adherents► Beliefs:Beliefs:

Covenant between Abraham & GodCovenant between Abraham & God PentateuchPentateuch

►11stst 5 books of Old Testament 5 books of Old Testament

► SectsSects Orthodox, Conservative, ReformOrthodox, Conservative, Reform

► IsraelIsrael Zionism: desire to return to ancient Zionism: desire to return to ancient

homeland of Israelhomeland of Israel Homeland for Jewish peopleHomeland for Jewish people Created 1948Created 1948 Conflict between Israel & PalestineConflict between Israel & Palestine

ChristianityChristianity►OriginsOrigins

Emerged from JudaismEmerged from Judaism Belief God lived on Earth as Jesus Christ Belief God lived on Earth as Jesus Christ

► Coptic ChurchCoptic Church Founded in Founded in

Alexandria in A.D. 41Alexandria in A.D. 41►Official religion of Official religion of

Roman EmpireRoman Empire Facilitated Facilitated

geographical spreadgeographical spread►Dark AgesDark Ages► Protestant ReformationProtestant Reformation► Significant growth in Africa, Asia and Latin AmericaSignificant growth in Africa, Asia and Latin America

IslamIslam

►Muhammad (570-632)Muhammad (570-632)► 5 Pillars of Islam5 Pillars of Islam

Belief in one God (Allah)Belief in one God (Allah) 5 daily prayers5 daily prayers Generous almsGenerous alms Fasting during Fasting during

RamadanRamadan Pilgrimage to Mecca Pilgrimage to Mecca

(hajj)(hajj)► SectsSects

SunniSunni ShiiteShiite

Diffusion of IslamDiffusion of Islam

Hinduism & SikhismHinduism & Sikhism►Hinduism Hinduism

Most ancient religious Most ancient religious tradition in Asiatradition in Asia

Vedas – sacred textsVedas – sacred texts Reincarnation Reincarnation CastesCastes

►Brahman, priestBrahman, priest►Kshatriya, warriorKshatriya, warrior►Vaisya, tradesman & farmerVaisya, tradesman & farmer►Sudra, servant & laborerSudra, servant & laborer

UntouchablesUntouchables► Sikhism Sikhism

Offshoot of HinduismOffshoot of Hinduism Guru NanakGuru Nanak

BuddhismBuddhism► Siddhartha Gautama – born Hindu Siddhartha Gautama – born Hindu

Buddha – Enlightened OneBuddha – Enlightened One

► 4 Noble Truths4 Noble Truths Life involves sufferingLife involves suffering Cause of suffering is desireCause of suffering is desire Elimination of desire ends Elimination of desire ends

sufferingsuffering Right thinking & behavior Right thinking & behavior

eliminate desireeliminate desire

► NirvanaNirvana► Diffused from IndiaDiffused from India

Other Other ReligionsReligions

► Eastern ReligionsEastern Religions ConfucianismConfucianism TaoismTaoism ShintoShinto

► Animism & Animism & ShamanismShamanism Animism Animism

►Belief in ubiquity of Belief in ubiquity of spirits or spiritual forcesspirits or spiritual forces

ShamanismShamanism►ShamanShaman

Religion & PoliticsReligion & Politics► Government attitude toward Government attitude toward

religionreligion Most countriesMost countries

►Freedom of religionFreedom of religion►Some degree of secularismSome degree of secularism

► TheocracyTheocracy Church rules directlyChurch rules directly

► Separation of church & stateSeparation of church & state IslamIslam

► FundamentalistsFundamentalists►Sharia lawSharia law►Governments only purpose is to Governments only purpose is to

aid in leading good Muslim lifeaid in leading good Muslim life

► TerrorismTerrorism

Geography of Religion in the Geography of Religion in the U.S.U.S.

►Colonial religionColonial religion Colonies founded as Colonies founded as

theocraciestheocracies Established churches until Established churches until

after Independenceafter Independence►Bill of Rights prohibition Bill of Rights prohibition

of of established church established church

►Freedom toFreedom to WorshipWorship ProselytizeProselytize

►ResultsResults World’s most religious World’s most religious

country?country? AffiliationAffiliation

► 78% Christian78% Christian► 4.7% other religions4.7% other religions► 16% unaffiliated16% unaffiliated

Indirect Impacts of Religion on Indirect Impacts of Religion on GovernmentGovernment

►National ethics & morals from National ethics & morals from dominant religion dominant religion

►EducationEducation►Religious leaders as popular Religious leaders as popular

leaders leaders►Religious-based political partiesReligious-based political parties►Financial powerFinancial power►States split into 2 or more States split into 2 or more

religions religions►Religion & women’s Religion & women’s

rights rights OrdinationOrdination Plural marriagePlural marriage DivorceDivorce Political involvement?Political involvement?

Religion & DietReligion & Diet►HinduismHinduism

Cattle as sacredCattle as sacred Used only as draft animals and for milkUsed only as draft animals and for milk

►Muslims Muslims PorkPork AlcoholAlcohol

►JewsJews Prohibit porkProhibit pork

►Impact onImpact on AgricultureAgriculture World tradeWorld trade

World Distribution of Hogs

Economic Economic ImpactImpact

►Withdrawal of resourcesWithdrawal of resources Burial practicesBurial practices Life in religious serviceLife in religious service

► Protestantism, Catholicism & Protestantism, Catholicism & capitalismcapitalism

► Confucianism vs. Confucianism vs. individualismindividualism

Religion, Science & the Religion, Science & the EnvironmentEnvironment

►Origin of world Origin of world ►Sacred placesSacred places►CalendarsCalendars►Festivals at certain times Festivals at certain times

of of year year

►Relationship with natureRelationship with nature Exploitive approachExploitive approach Adaptive approachAdaptive approach

►Science: Question of Science: Question of beginning of life & beginning of life & embryonic research embryonic research

Religious LandscapesReligious Landscapes►Houses of worshipHouses of worship►PilgrimagePilgrimage►Religious administrative Religious administrative

structure as identity structure as identity►Burial practicesBurial practices

CremationCremation BurialBurial

End of Chapter 7